I don't own Numb3rs. I miss the show greatly though. This is my pathetic attempt at a fanfic for the show. It's not exactly great but I had an inspiration. I'm still working through it too so reviews are a source of weather or not I should continue.

There won't be any pairing slash or otherwise in this. I know. I'm trying something different.

FYI: This is an edit on the story. I'm fixing the slight F-up on the original chapter 14 which means that the original chapter 15 is going to be in its place and I'm going to make things a bit angsty. Please be patient.

Frank Cornel hadn't really planned on seeing the boys who'd gotten him out of jail but since they'd dropped in, he was being nice and poured them drinks.

Jake Creed was a skinny pale man with flaming red hair, a slight talent for technology, and a shitty attitude – to Frank's opinion. He wasn't exactly the kind of guy one would usually trust either. He'd been known to shoot his own men if he felt they were getting in the way.

Ted Drake was a little thicker than Jake and it was all muscle. Frank couldn't say if he was any good at fighting though since he was fairly sure that Ted sampled the steroids he sold. Frank had to admit that he didn't seem nearly as stupid as he could have been but then again, Frank didn't spend much time with him.

Then, there was the leader of the little group known as Jed Cornel, Frank's little brother. Where Frank was bald, Jed had a head of thick sandy blonde hair. Where Frank's arms were covered with sleeves of tattoos, Jed's skin was completely clean of inks and oils. Where Frank preferred to let his emotions lead him – hence why his kills were so gory – Jed let his mind lead him. If he killed someone, he was never linked to it; he always had a fall guy somewhere. Where Frank preferred to dress in sweats, jeans, baggy shirts, and tennis shoes, Jed dressed in suits and ties.

"Hello big bro," Jed smirked darkly. Frank sighed, annoyance ebbing over the brim. He hadn't wished to see his little brother. He hadn't even expected his brother to get his hands dirty in getting him out of jail. It was out of character to say the least but the fact that he'd shown up to say he'd used Frank's usual crew – people Jed had made a point of saying he disliked greatly.

"Good to see you," Frank gritted out. "Now, if you'd all be so fucking kind, leave!"

"That's not very nice," Jed muttered, feigning hurt. Jake and Ted glowered at Frank, like they weren't too pleased with how Frank had 'greeted' them. It wasn't like it was all that big a deal to him. He hadn't really liked either one of them to begin with anyway.

"Carlos doesn't need you three around," Frank muttered as he crossed the room.

"Carlos was the one we asked to get you a place," Jed sneered as he followed his brother. "Besides, Jake was the one who cut the power to the jail. Ted was the one who beat up all the guards. I was the one who acted like a lawyer to get access, dragging a certain asset with me so he could unlock the doors to just your cell. You were the one who took the opportunity to run on out of there. Jake and Ted made sure the car was ready for you, the asset in the trunk where it belonged." His eyes were dark as he finished, "You got out because of us."

"He still doesn't need you around."

"Carlos doesn't know what he needs," Jed laughed without smiling. "I however do and thanks to that, I'm the one promising him what he wants."

Frank couldn't help but glare as the other men chuckled and snickered darkly. He knew whose skirt Carlos was chasing – the only problem was she rarely wore a skirt to chase. Personally, he wanted no part of it since he knew that it wouldn't work and that Sheila wasn't going to let her schooling go to waste; nor was her mother.

"What he wants is unobtainable Jed," Frank growled.

"Power isn't unobtainable Frank. Nor is money or fame. Sheila may be a little difficult but I'm sure we can make her come around," he smirked. Frank hated that smirk. "However, she is female and as we both know, those have needs just like any other person."

"Her needs go to school only."

"Doubtful," Jed sneered. "Besides, Carlos wants the house guest dead right? There must be a reason for him to be so…riled."

"The fact you have to search for the word worries me."

"Oh please," Jed scoffed. "Everything about me worries you."

"There are reasons for that Jed. Tell me why you're here and I might let you leave without a black eye."

"Remember the asset I mentioned?" Jed asked smoothly like the threat hadn't meant anything to him. Frank had a feeling it hadn't. Jed never really cared if someone threatened to hit him, maim him, shoot him, or do any harm to his person. Jed used to do fight clubs until he got bored with them. He'd said something about it no longer being fun because he could beat all of the members without help. It was ridiculous. At least Frank had stuck to a career.

"What about him?" Frank asked carefully as if he were walking into a minefield. Jed smiled at him and picked up an old paper that was lying nearby. He tossed it to his elder brother who caught it with ease and precision.

"Read the article on page seven."

Frank rolled his eyes but did as he was told. Jed had a pull that made people bend to him. He rolled his eyes though when he spotted the months old story of a professor who disappeared. It wasn't even a very impressive professor; math was such a boring subject. He had no idea why the person had been missed so much – maybe it had something to do with the architect father and the FBI brother. He had a difficult time believing the comments the students and fellow teachers had given. "He is a much loved part of the school community?" Right.

"So what?"

"He consults for his FBI brother. Apparently math is more useful than for the whole bullshit statistics. And let's face it; even statistics are useful after a fashion." Jed was smiling again. Frank really hated the smile on his brother's face.

"And?" Frank asked a bit warily.

"Think about it…he's had access to the jail before. He 'helped' us get you out."

"Right. He helped you willingly didn't he?"

"As willingly as possible when I'm concerned." And there was that smirk again. That god damned smirk and knowing gaze.

"Wonderful. What'd you do? Threaten his father?"

"More like the pretty little Hindi woman who almost married him and the spineless geek who taught and works with him."

"Wonderful," he repeated.

"It is isn't it?" And oh dear god he sounded gleeful. That was never a good sign.

"Why is it?"

"You know the guy Carlos wants out of the Rodriguez house?" Jed sounded almost pleasantly pleased. He stood and pointed at the blurred picture of the professor, tapping it a couple of times. "His name is Charles Edward Eppes."

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